👑 Buganda Kingdom
The Kabaka of
Buganda
From the very first Kabaka, Kintu, to His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II - 36 kings have shaped one of East Africa's most enduring kingdoms over more than 600 years.
The 36th Kabaka · Reigning Since 1993
Ronald Muwenda
Mutebi II
Born on 13 April 1955, His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II is the 36th Kabaka (King) of the Buganda Kingdom. He was crowned on 31 July 1993 at Naggalabi Buddo - the traditional coronation hill - in a ceremony attended by hundreds of thousands of his subjects.
His Majesty studied at King's College Budo and later at the University of Cambridge. He has dedicated his reign to the preservation of Buganda's culture, language, and heritage while championing development for the Baganda people. He presides over the annual Enkuuka y'Omwaka every 31st December at Lubiri Palace, Mengo.
A Royal Lineage · 600+ Years
All 36 Kabakas of Buganda
Scroll to journey through history - from Kintu the legendary first king, to the reigning Mutebi II. Hover over each king to discover their remarkable reign.
Kintu
c. 1300s
Founded Buganda at Magonga. Descended from the gods - the kingdom's mythical origin. Established the first royal clan system.
Kintu
c. 1300s
Chwa I
c. 1370s
Consolidated Buganda's earliest territorial identity and ensured the kingdom's continuity after Kintu.
Chwa I
c. 1370s
Kimera
c. 1400s
Reorganised Buganda's clan and political structure - considered the true architect of early Buganda's governance.
Kimera
c. 1400s
Ttembo
c. 1430s
Expanded the kingdom's territory northwards during his reign.
Ttembo
c. 1430s
Kiggala
c. 1450s
Known for diplomatic relations with neighbouring kingdoms.
Kiggala
c. 1450s
Kiyimba
c. 1470s
Oversaw cultural developments in the royal court and early kingdom traditions.
Kiyimba
c. 1470s
Kayima
c. 1490s
Led significant military campaigns that expanded Buganda's borders.
Kayima
c. 1490s
Nakibinge
c. 1510s
Warrior king who died defending Buganda against Bunyoro. Revered as a national hero.
Nakibinge
c. 1510s
Mulondo
c. 1540s
Introduced the royal drums (Mujaguzo) - among the most sacred royal regalia of Buganda.
Mulondo
c. 1540s
Jjemba
c. 1560s
Continued the tradition of royal music and drumming in the kingdom.
Jjemba
c. 1560s
Ssuuna I
c. 1580s
Oversaw a stable period of cultural enrichment across the kingdom.
Ssuuna I
c. 1580s
Kateregga
c. 1600s
Created sub-counties (Gombolola) to improve kingdom administration - a lasting governance reform.
Kateregga
c. 1600s
Mutebi I
c. 1630s
Extended Buganda's influence across Lake Victoria islands.
Mutebi I
c. 1630s
Jjunju
c. 1660s
Fought wars with Bunyoro and expanded Buganda southwards.
Jjunju
c. 1660s
Kayiimba
c. 1680s
Incorporated fishing communities of the Ssese Islands into the kingdom.
Kayiimba
c. 1680s
Tebandeke
c. 1700s
His cruel rule ended in a clan revolt - an early check on royal power.
Tebandeke
c. 1700s
Ndawula
c. 1720s
Ushered in peace and rebuilt clan relationships after the instability of Tebandeke.
Ndawula
c. 1720s
Kagulu
c. 1740s
Removed by clan leaders for oppressive rule.
Kagulu
c. 1740s
Kikulwe
c. 1750s
Restored calm and built strong ties with the Lungfish (Mmamba) clan.
Kikulwe
c. 1750s
Mawanda
c. 1760s
One of the greatest military leaders - dramatically expanded Buganda's borders.
Mawanda
c. 1760s
Mwanga I
c. 1790s
His reign saw increasing contact with Arab traders and early introduction of Islam.
Mwanga I
c. 1790s
Namugala
c. 1810s
Ruled during a period of internal clan struggles.
Namugala
c. 1810s
Kyabaggu
c. 1820s
Restored order after prior instability with a firm hand.
Kyabaggu
c. 1820s
Junju
c. 1840s
Famous sibling rivalry with Semakookiro; ultimately defeated and killed.
Junju
c. 1840s
Semakookiro
c. 1850s
Expelled over-powerful Arab traders and reorganised Buganda's army.
Semakookiro
c. 1850s
Kamanya
c. 1860s
Peaceful reign; court visited by early Arab traders.
Kamanya
c. 1860s
Ssuuna II
1832–1856
Among the most powerful Kabakas. Expanded the kingdom and built a large standing army.
Ssuuna II
1832–1856
Mutesa I
1856–1884
Welcomed Christian missionaries and explorer Speke. Pivotal in shaping modern Buganda.
Mutesa I
1856–1884
Mwanga II
1884–1897
Reign marked by the Uganda Martyrs (now canonised saints). Eventually exiled by the British.
Mwanga II
1884–1897
Kiweewa
1888
Reigned only briefly before being deposed during internal conflicts.
Kiweewa
1888
Kalema
1888–1889
First Muslim Kabaka; reigned briefly during the religious wars.
Kalema
1888–1889
Chwa II
1897–1939
Crowned as an infant; known for eloquence and opposing colonial excesses under the British Protectorate.
Chwa II
1897–1939
Mutesa II
1939–1966
'King Freddie'. Studied at Cambridge. Served as Uganda's first President before exile by Obote.
Mutesa II
1939–1966
Kingdom Abolished
1966–1993
Milton Obote abolished the Buganda Kingdom in 1966. The institution survived in the hearts of Baganda for 27 years.
Kingdom Abolished
1966–1993
Restoration
1993
President Museveni restored the Kingdom as a cultural institution. Ronald Mutebi was crowned the 36th Kabaka.
Restoration
1993
Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II
1993–Present
The reigning Kabaka. Born 1955, educated at Cambridge. Leading Buganda's cultural renaissance and presiding over Enkuuka y'Omwaka.
Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II
1993–Present
At Enkuuka y'Omwaka
The Kabaka's Role
The Kabaka's arrival at Lubiri Palace on 31st December is the most anticipated moment of the entire Enkuuka festival. As he steps onto the royal grounds at 6:15 PM, over 45,000 voices rise in ululation - a sound that shakes the Mengo hills.
Royal Arrival
The Kabaka arrives to a Guard of Honour in full ceremonial dress. Kingdom ministers, princes, princesses and all senior clan heads are assembled.
Royal Address
His Majesty addresses his subjects in Luganda, broadcast live on CBS FM 88.8 and NBS TV. His speech on unity, development and culture reaches millions.
Quiz Awards
The Kabaka personally presents trophies to Omuzira Mbazira - the champion of Entanda Ya Buganda (Luganda Quiz) - celebrating mastery of Kiganda heritage.
Key Ceremony
At the stroke of midnight, His Majesty raises the symbolic kingdom key, officially unlocking the New Year for the Baganda people - the most photographed moment of Enkuuka.
"The Kabaka lifts the key and the new year belongs to Buganda."
Be Part of History
See the Kabaka at Enkuuka 2025
His Majesty arrives at 6:15 PM and performs the key ceremony at midnight. Be there.